Hey all, not posted in a while but thought I would over this.
My car (standard 2011 GTI DSG) went into the dealers for a week and they lent me a ed35 2012 DSG with 19' glens.
BEFORE this experience I would have said the standard GTI for me every time.
Strange but after 20 minutes of driving the ed35 I was not very impressed at all. I even felt it was slower (less nippy) and just didnt feel right, dont shoot me yet ed35 owners.
The leather over my tartan cloth i didnt like
The stereo not having Dynaudio i didnt like
The 19' glendales i wasnt keen on
SO, a week later where the first impressions right
?
Being honest, I dont think they where.
After a week of hearing the different engine note of the ed35 (more growly) i have to admit my standard GTI lacks in this area. Not hugely, but enough to notice, however I prefer the sound of the DSG gearchanges on hard acceleration on the standard one, dont ask why, just you can hear the box/blip/burp type thing lol
The slower/less nippy comment is kind of correct depending on the way you drive, light footed point and squirt seems quicker in my standard but the "I want a bootfull of go" and the ed35 clearly has the edge.
I have massively warmed to the ed35 in this respect, more so than I thought I would.
Leather / Tartan - thats my choice and not a model specific problem, same with stereo BUT if I was ticking the options list Dynaudio is an absolute no brainer for me, it kicks than standard stereos arse 10x over - order it.
Reversing camera I previously
thought was a gimmick and would never have ticked it on the option list, having tried it I would say it would beone of the first things I would tick on that list now
19' glendales I now like. Actually the whole overall appearance has grown on me enough over the week to see a shift from the standard GTI on shadows having a tiny edge (and I mean tiny) on looks, to the ed35 having that TINY edge.
The ED35 had the adjustable ride (not sure what its called) comfort / normal / sport and I would order this as an option if it was my choice ESPECIALLY for motorway driving, it transforms the ride to being far more relaxed.
so AFTER this experience did I change my mind ? YES.
Would I change my standard GTI ? NO (the differences arent marked enough for me JUST TO CHANGE my year old standard GTI let alone the fuel economy drop)
Would I pick a ED35 over the standard GTI if I had that as a new car choice ? YES (but only just and my only reserve would be could I live with an engine notably louder than the standard GTI each and every day ? - probably...
)
So, there you have it, a completely non-professional review on something I thought may be of interest. Just goes to show they are very very good cars (I kinda wish they hadnt loaned me the car now
)
cheers
og
PS
Ment to also say, one thing i rearly DO NOT LIKE is the golf ball dsg gearstick, original is way nicer
